Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has called for a major review of the stipend paid to interns under the Public Service Commission (PSC), proposing that they receive up to Sh50,000 per month instead of the current Sh15,000.
Speaking while moving a Motion in the Senate on the welfare of PSC interns, Cherargei said the current pay is too low to meet basic needs, especially for young graduates working in cities like Nairobi.
“I meet parents who tell me they still support their children doing internships in Nairobi because they earn very little,” he noted. “How do you pay a young person Sh15,000 in this day and era? Let us give them at least Sh50,000 so they can afford a decent house in Umoja or Rongai.”
The senator argued that the high cost of living has made life difficult for interns, many of whom depend on their families for rent, transport, and food. He said raising their stipends would not only ease financial pressure but also restore dignity and motivate them to focus on their work.
Cherargei further suggested that the proposed amount should vary depending on location. Interns stationed in major cities such as Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu would earn Sh50,000, while those in smaller towns could receive around Sh30,000.
“If they are interns in cities, let us make it Sh50,000. For other small towns, we can increase to Sh30,000,” he added, emphasizing fairness based on cost of living differences.
The senator also encouraged interns to uphold discipline and dedication in their workplaces, cautioning that a pay increase should not lead to complacency.
Cherargei’s proposal has reignited debate on youth welfare and employment policies, with many Kenyans supporting better pay for interns as a way to promote fair labour practices and economic empowerment.
